FC Barcelona: Predicting an All-La Masia Starting XI for 2015-16

Considering the pure quality that comes through Barcelona's youth academy every year, it is not inconceivable that Barcelona's starting lineup could, in the very near future, be made entirely of La Masia graduates.

In fact, this could very well be a possibility in 2015.

Here, we have made slight changes to the current Barcelona lineup, replacing some of the players who will possibly pass their sell-by dates with current La Masia prospects.

CB: Marc Muniesa

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Marc Muniesa is considered one of the best central defensive prospects in Barcelona's youth ranks. He had a very underwhelming senior debut against Osasuna in 2009, getting sent off within a few minutes of coming onto the field.

However, his playing style is similar to Barcelona's current captain Carles Puyol. He plays with a maturity that far belies his 19 years, making him one of Barcelona's biggest hopes for the future.

Muniesa signed a new contract in February 2011, which raised his buyout clause to €30 million—proof that he has the faith of the technical staff and management of the club.

LB: Alejandro Grimaldo

Despite being only 16 years old now, Alejandro Grimaldo has already started and played for Barcelona Atletic. He is also the youngest player to start a Spanish Segunda division match.

Barcelona won the match in question 4-0 against FC Cartagena, and Grimaldo was essential in Barcelona Atletic's best move of the match, which ended with him assisting Rafa Alcantara's goal.

Grimaldo's pace and ability to dribble down the left wing make him a fearsome prospect for opposition defenders.

He will be 20 at the start of the 2015-16 season. Taking into account the lack of left-back prospects in the market and the quality of his current performances, there is a high likelihood of young Grimaldo starting for Barcelona in just three years' time.

CM: Thiago Alcantara

At the start of the season, Thiago Alcantara was considered a kid with a lot of talent. However, midway through this season, he is now regarded as a very dependable player.

He used to display a temptation to play too many adventurous passes. His passing game is now far more measured and tactical, a la Xavi.

With the way in which Thiago has developed, he can be looked to as a natural heir to Xavi. He certainly has the technical ability and the passing range that makes Xavi so deadly. In addition, he also has excellent dribbling skills, which make him a very difficult player to stop.

In Barcelona's system in 2015, Thiago could take on Xavi's current role of chief playmaker.

AM: Cesc Fabregas

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Cesc Fabregas will continue to play his role as an attacking midfielder in Barcelona's system. With the experience of playing in this system for three years, Fabregas could potentially develop into one of the finest attacking midfielders in Barcelona's history.

Indeed, his interplay with Lionel Messi could, in three years' time, become a very happy chapter in Barcelona folklore.

CF/AM/RW/LW: Lionel Messi

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The most frightening feature of Lionel Messi's performances is that it seems to evolve with each season. In every season, he patches up some vulnerability in his overall play and turns in stronger performances than the season before.

Three years down the line, one can only wonder just how good Messi will have become.

There is no question that he will continue to lead Barcelona's attack from the center as he does now. His partnership with Cesc Fabregas could also become more lethal than it already is.

RW/LW/CF: Gerard Deulofeu

Gerard Deulofeu is currently the brightest star in Barcelona's youth ranks. Deulofeu has excellent dribbling skills and pace. To complement this, he is also a very direct player.

Deulofeu's performances with the youth teams led to him forming part of the preseason squad for Barcelona's senior team. In his second senior match, a friendly against Club America, he assisted Seydou Keita's goal with a cross from the right wing.

Deulofeu also made two senior appearances in the Spanish league, against Hercules and Mallorca. Though he is not the youngest player to feature for the senior team, at 17 years old, this is still a good start to what will hopefully be a long and fruitful career with Barcelona.